'MILF guerrillas behind kidnaps'

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels were tagged in the separate kidnappings of a female trader and a young boy here and in a nearby province, the military said.

Col. Buenaventura Pascual, commander of Task Force Zamboanga, said they are positive that MILF guerrillas were behind the kidnapping of businesswoman Olivia Angeles Barredo and the nine-year-old son of a barangay chairwoman.

Barredo, who owns a pharmacy and hardware and grocery stores, was seized last March 4 in the coastal village of Labuan west of this city, while the boy was snatched last March 16 from his elementary school. 

“We have intelligence information that the MILF rebels were behind these kidnappings. The operation is part of their fund-raising,” Pascual said. 

Pascual said the rebels are holding their captives in Sibuco, Sirawai, and Siocon towns in Zamboanga del Norte where the MILF has presence.